They aren’t HALF bad.. JOHNNY AND CONOR RUN THE SHOW TO SLAY FRENCH
IRELAND 19 FRANCE 9
the left flank via Lopez’s crosskick. Ringrose’s tackle forced Huget to lose possession yet Fickou off-loaded to Remi Lamerat to go over.
But Fickou had knocked on – Nigel Owens disallowed the try but went back for a penalty. Lopez doubled his side’s lead.
Sexton’s ingenuity finally found a chink in French armour in the 28th minute.
Linking with Robbie Henshaw on the loop, the 31-year-old sprinted away from Fickou before his kick for Earls was fumbled by Huget.
Noa Nakaitaci denied Earls the try but at the cost of a fivemetre scrum and, after Henshaw got close, Murray got over the line at the second attempt.
Sexton’s conversion put Ireland ahead for the first time but Joe Schmidt will be frustrated his charges didn’t capitalise further before the break.
Sensing another try was on, a handy penalty kick at the posts was passed up in the 36th minute after Ringrose was caught high by Sebastien Vahaamahina.
Sexton ran it instead. The French conceded another penalty that he kicked to the corner – but Ireland conceded a penalty themselves and the chance was gone.
Still Ireland piled forward and while Murray and Stander almost broke clear, a knock-on ultimately ended the half on a bum note.
Nevertheless Sexton fired over a close range penalty in the 46th minute after Murray was obstructed – and nailed a drop goal four minutes later for a 13-6 lead.
The injured Rob Kearney made way for Andrew Trimble, which meant Zebo reverted to full-back.
The French had rolled out a couple more of their front row big guns at this stage but the Irish pack responded with a shove that earned a 54th minute penalty that Sexton kicked over.
Then followed a remarkable passage of play, sparked by Sexton’s pass to Zebo – earning the playmaker a wallop off Eddy Ben Arous that almost ended his involvement.
Ireland charged into their rivals’ 22 with an exhilarating attack but with their out-half receiving treatment, momentum stalled and possession was turned over.
France threatened to score off it, too, with Zebo coughing up the ball, but the green line held.
Guy Noves’ men weren’t finished and incessant pressure earned them a 74th minute penalty that Lopez converted to leave seven between them.
Ireland held their nerve and Sexton’s replacement Paddy Jackson fired over a penalty two minutes later to provide some welcome breathing space.